Backyard Arizona bird with thin beak and black half-circle on breast

by Jeff
(Phoenix, AZ)

Saw a new bird in our backyard today in Phoenix, and have no idea what it is. We heard an odd squawk, and saw this fellow perched on our hummingbird feeder trying to get a drink.

He flew away before we could grab a camera, but he had a long, thin beak (he could get at the hummingbird nectar). The top of his head was smooth, and looked like it was a faint red or orange color. He had a distinct black half-circle on his breast, and it looked like the rest of his belly was dappled. Possibly tan wings, but was hard to tell in the morning light.

We've been curious, and had no luck browsing pictures on line, so any help is appreciated!

Comments for Backyard Arizona bird with thin beak and black half-circle on breast

Just saw 3 of these birds today, 10/09/16, in my yard in Iowa. Beautiful birds, good size.

Mar 28, 2012

what is this bird?!by: Anonymous

I live in Gilbert and there are many black birds that are not crows that make the oddest but coolest sounds. I want to know what they are! They make some sort of gutteral sound and then whistle many different patterns. They flutter around when they do this. They simply look black and are decently sized. Does anyone know?

Oct 16, 2011

Wild guessby: Judy-Seattle

Hi Jeff, based on your description I will take a wild gues that it may have been a Flicker woodpecker that you saw. They have a loud squawk, a long beak, a black half circle on the chest and like to hang from feeders. I will post some pics that I took of Flickers at my home.